Welcome to Edinburgh's
Southside Community Council





Minutes of 60th meeting, held on Wednesday 8 November 2006, from 7pm - 9pm in the Nelson Hall, 5 Spittalfield Crescent, Edinburgh.

Abbreviations used:
ASCC = Association of Scottish Community Councils; CEC = The City of Edinburgh Council; CYP = Canongate Youth Project; DEG = Dumbiedykes Environmental Group; EACC = Edinburgh Association of Community Councils; HMO = House(s) in Multiple Occupation; LA = Licence Application; LDC = Local Development Committee; L&BP = Lothian & Borders Police; LHC = Late Hours Catering; PA = Planning Application; SCC = Southside Community Council; SE = Scottish Executive; SP = Scottish Parliament; and other initials = members of the SCC, as below.

PRESENT - Chairperson: Robert Beaton {RB}; Elected Members: Colin Christison (Secretary) {CC}, Linda Hendry (Vice Chairperson) {LH}; Robert Hodgart {RH}, Hilary McDowell {HM}, Jo Scott {JS}, and Justine Stansfield (Treasurer) {JSt}; Local Interest Groups’ Nominated Members: Margaret Bagan {MB}, and Mary Devine {MD}; Co-opted Members: Jean Downie {JD}, and Carol McHugh {CM}; Edinburgh Leisure: Malcolm Jefferson: Lothian & Borders Police: PC Alastair Mackenzie; Members of the Public: Three.

1. Welcome, and apologies for absence

Robert Beaton welcomed those present to the meeting. Apologies for absence were received from George Pitcher {GP}, Keith Smith {KS}, Cllr Robert Cairns, and Sarah Boyack MSP.

2. Presentation by Malcolm Jefferson, Community Inclusion Officer, Edinburgh Leisure, on the Crags Sports Centre

Robert Beaton introduced Malcolm Jefferson, who said that he was currently supporting the Crags Sports Centre as part of his duties. He was keen to ascertain the views of the community about the Centre, and to that end, he distributed a questionnaire for members to complete, together with a copy of the current programme. Various comments and suggestions were put forward by members. It was considered that to site the disabled parking bays at the furthest point from the door was a poor idea. The advisory group appeared to lack impetus, and the main concern was communication. The Centre’s unique qualities should be built on, and active engagement with the community was required. The community felt that they had lost the Centre to Edinburgh Leisure, rather than retaining local management. There did not seem to be much advertising of the venue, and there were queries about the costs of some activities. Malcolm said that there was to be an article in the next edition of The Southsider, and the Dumbiedykes Writers’ Group would also highlight the Centre. There was discussion about different age groupings, and it was thought that 45-65 year olds should be targeted, with more referrals from local GPs for physiotherapy. The Centre should be able to serve different people at different times of the day.

Members thanked Malcolm for attending.

3. Police Report

PC Mackenzie said that there had been 18 reported crimes in the Southside in October, and 31 in the Dumbiedykes area. These included motor vehicle crimes, and break-ins at both domestic and commercial premises. Thefts of pedal cycles had taken place from stairwells in the St Leonard’s area, as well as Newington. He thought that the Pubwatch scheme (similar to neighbourhood watch) was working well. There was a discussion about the Halloween ‘Rave’ which had taken place in the Innocent Railway Tunnel, as well as earlier ‘raves’.

4. Minutes of meeting of 11 October 2006

Approved; proposed by HM, and seconded by JS.

5. Matters arising

Item 6.8 - RB would write a short article for The Southsider.
Item 9.1.4 - Dale Gibson would keep us informed about the former Odeon cinema.
Item 10.2.3 - It was decided to write to CEC about a possible improvement plan for the low rise flats at Viewcraig.

6. Secretary’s Report

6.1 CC said that Liz Walker had written to tend her resignation from the SCC for transport and security reasons. It was suggested that the SCC could pay taxi fares, or offer lifts, and CC said that he would propose this to Liz.

6.2 A request had been received from the James Gillespie’s High School Trust for help with the oral history project, the aim of which is to capture memories of former pupils and local residents. Details were handed out.

6.3 The Secretary said that he had attended the launch of the OnSite computer art exhibition at the Potterrow site. The exhibition would last for three months.

6.4 He had received the names of the ASCC’s new office bearers.

6.5 Waterwatch Scotland were holding an open day on 30 November.

6.6 He had received the minutes of the recent Community Council Joint Meeting, as well as a reminder of the availability of LDC grants. Since he had not heard from the Scottish Widows about a donation to help with the purchase of a laptop computer, he suggested that an application be made for an LDC grant, and this was agreed.

6.7 The SE had published consultation papers on implementing the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003, and comments were invited by mid December.

6.8 NHS Lothian’s Draft Primary Care Modernisation Strategy was out for consultation, with comments required by 12 February 2007. Copies of the summary papers were distributed.

6.9 He said that the Central LDC meeting was being held that night, and that Keith Smith was attending it.

6.10 The website ‘hits’ counter was operational again. CC related the amusing story of some students who had asked to attend the October meeting, and after some investigation by JSt when they failed to appear, it transpired that they really meant to go to the South Side Community Council, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are a similar organisation, and he emailed them to introduce their Edinburgh ‘twin’ but so far no reply had been received.

6.11 A new minister had been appointed to the Apostolic Church, and he hoped to become involved in community matters. He would receive the SCC’s minutes.

6.12 He mentioned an article by Professor Norman Bonney, on the role of Community Councils, in today’s issue of the Evening News.

7. Treasurer’s Report

JSt reported that the bank balance at 31 October 2006 was £1013.63.

8. Correspondence

Items of an advertising nature were circulated, as well as Inside Letting Issue 9, L&BP A Division October Newsletter, and Police Reports from Marchmont, Meadows and Bruntsfield Links, Warmburgh Update Issue 3, Friends of the Meadows & Bruntsfield Links Newsletter, Information Sessions for private landlords, information on environmental grants from WREN, The Local Channel newsletter, invitation to the launch of a volunteering strategy for Edinburgh (6 December) and information on a free public seminar (28 Nov) on energy.

9. Planning & Licensing Committee Reports

9.1 Planning
9.1.1 Three previously lodged objections to applications for ticket dispensing machines had been considered material, but the PAs were granted.
9.1.2 Representation on PA for redevelopment of Nicolson Square considered material.
9.1.3 Objection submitted to change of use from 5 bedroom dwelling to HMO 6 at 15 Bernard Terrace.
9.1.4 The Planning group would meet to discuss recently lodged PAs.
9.2 Licensing
9.2.1 One HMO LA had been received since the last meeting.
9.2.2 Papers from a previous Licensing Forum meeting were available.
9.2.3. The CEC was being asked to extend permitted hours for placing tables and chairs on pavements.

10. Environmental Matters

10.1 It was noted that recycling facilities had been placed in Newington Road and St Leonard’s Hill.
10.2 Information was given on recorded thefts and vandalism at East Parkside.

11. Reports from meetings, conferences, and seminars attended

11.1 Edinburgh Association of Community Councils (28 October)

Attended by JS, and LH, who reported that there had an election for office bearers, and representatives There had been a talk on Community Planning by Cllr Munro. Community Council subscriptions will again be funded by the Edinburgh Partnership.

11.2 South LDC Local Environment Forum (30 October)

Attended by JS who said that there were continuing efforts to seek improvement in environmental and street cleansing issues.

11.3 Southside Association (7 November)

Attended by MB, CC, MD, JS, and KS. There had been an identical presentation to Item 2 (above), as well as a Police report, and routine business. CC reminded members that the joint Christmas Lights Ceremony was to be held at 6pm in St Patrick Square on 5 December. The SCC agreed to again donate £50 towards the event.

11.4 Friends of the Meadows & Bruntsfield Links, with Marchmont & Sciennes, Southside, and Tollcross Community Councils (24 October)

Special meeting to discuss the revival of the Meadows Festival for 2007, attended by LH, HM, and JS. LH reported that preliminary discussions centred on the future format of the Festival, insurance, grant applications, and so on. Next meeting is on 23 November.

12. Any other competent business

12.1 RB said that he had heard from Lothian Buses following his complaint about the curtailing of Service 60 at weekends. It was explained that the Company are required to give only 2 weeks notice to CEC of timetable amendments. It was noted that no reply was made to RB’s comment that there had been no attempt at public consultation. 12.2 JSt said that she had prepared A4 posters advertising for youth representation for the SCC. Copies would be placed in the two Community Centres, the Crags Sports Centre, and local schools.
12.3 JS mentioned co-option to the Community Council, and there was a discussion about future policy, bearing in mind that any co-option should originate with the SCC rather than an individual wishing to be co-opted. It was considered highly desirable to co-opt someone with planning and/or architectural experience in order to assist with interpreting plans and drawings. It was suggested that two members of the SCC propose and second any potential person for co-option.
12.4 LH felt that the upper floor of the Nelson Hall, where the SCC meetings were now held was unsuitable, as there was echoing, and traffic noise from the street was very audible. There had been some experimenting with seating layout, and with microphones, and this should be continued. It was suggested that advice be sought for secondary glazing and/or soundproofing.
12.5 HM mentioned that fire on Arthur’s Seat on Guy Fawkes night, and there was a general discussion about fireworks. It was agreed to write to Shona Robison MSP who had an interest in the problems associated with fireworks, and to Historic Scotland, who maintain Holyrood Park. Perhaps the park should be closed to traffic on 5 November.

13. Open Forum

13.1 Claire Macgregor asked about progress on the policy for relaxing parking restrictions for tradesmen's vehicles in the city centre.

14. Date of next meeting

Wednesday 13 December, 7pm until 9pm.